News Release

Original Development of Ultra-High Resolution (0.3m or Less) Optical Satellite (Multi-purpose 7) to Begin with Launch Targeted in a Total Investment of KRW 310.0 Billion between 2016 and 2021

Department
Administrator

Registration Date2016-09-07

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□ The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP) and Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) disclosed that they will begin original development of Multi-purpose 7 which is the optical satellite of the world’s top level ultra-high resolution (0.3m or less) and will hold the project kick-off meeting to be participated in by the MSIP, KARI, and relevant ministries on September 7.

ㅇ The Multi-purpose 7 is the succeeding model of Multi-purpose 3A that was launched in March 2015 with the world’s top specifications such as the high resolution optical camera and IR camera with a resolution of 0.3m or less and the control moment gyro (CMG)-based high mobility position control system.

ㅇ Compare this to the resolution of Multi-purpose 3A (optical 0.55m) which can only detect a vehicle, whereas the resolution of Multi-purpose 7 (0.3m or less) is about 3.4 times greater and can identify the type of vehicle (i.e. a compact car, truck, etc.).

ㅇ Moreover, Multi-purpose 7 uses CMG that can change positions 8~9 times when filming an area so that many points can be recorded, compared to Multi-purpose 3A which uses the reacting wheel to change positions three times when filming a specific area.

□ Developed countries such as the US, EU, and Japan are also developing the sub-0.3m high resolution optical satellite, and the MSIP intends to take leadership in the development of such an optical satellite to keep up with the demand for cutting-edge satellites worldwide.

□ MSIP plans to invest KRW 310.0 billion between August 2016 and December 2021 to develop all design processes, assembly, testing, and verification of the system, main body and payload with Korean technologies. The satellite is scheduled to be launched in the second half of 2021.

ㅇ The optimal mission design utilizing the satellite development experience, technology, and infrastructure accumulated by KARI over the past 20 years will maximize the performance.

ㅇMoreover, the joint development system of KARI and industries to have the domestic industries to manage the design and manufacturing of the satellite and actively participate in the development of system and payload will significantly contribute to promotion of domestic space industries to enable the laying of foundation for the private-sector-managed national satellite development system after 2020.

□ After it launches in the second half of 2021, Multi-purpose 7 will provide the world’s top quality satellite images generated by the IR sensors of the sub-0.3m high resolution optical camera to the public sector and the private sector to be used in the monitoring of natural disasters, territory, resources, and the environment, as well as national security, and climate change analysis such as for urban heat islands.

ㅇMSIP also disclosed that the ministry planned to concentrate the its efforts on developing cutting-edge satellite technology and key space technology that will lead to the development of the world’s top class satellite and national economic development and the utilization of satellite data for improving the lives of citizens.